The Agenda: Hip Hop, Heather James Fine Art, and Boxing Philosophical

The history of hip hop is revealed in what will surely be a sold-out show for the Oakland Museum of California. The survey, looking at the cultural and social movements of the last 50 years, shows the story of how the genre and style evolved—from its roots on the streets even before rap, DJing, street art and fashion, and breakdancing became part of mainstream culture. The show will emphasize the West Coast and Bay Area’s influences and will even feature surprise guests, plus clips from video shoots at the old West Oakland train station.

Hot on the heels of its 20th anniversary, Heather James Fine Art continues to expand its national presence with two additional gallery openings in 2018. This month, they’ll open a San Francisco location in the heart of Union Square. This fall, they’ll open up a space in Santa Barbara. And if you find yourself in Palm Desert, check out one of the major exhibitions on view there through May 31: Louise Bourgeois “Holograms” featuring glass plates burned through with laser beams and Ed Ruscha “A Survey Show” of the California artist’s iconic word pieces, plus a large-scale oil painting titled Things Oriental.

Presented in the context of ICA LA’s current exhibition “Grandfather: A Pioneer Like Us,” this lively debate (a collaboration with the Getty Research Institute) revisits the legacy of curator Harald Szeemann. Originally spawned by an academic dialogue between philosopher Rossen Ventzislavov and curator Sue Spaid, ICA LA brings the conversation to the public sphere, with a live discussion between the two moderated by historian Patricia Morton. And if you happen to be in the area this weekend, take one last look at Sarah Cain’s Now I’m Going to Tell You Everything (through 3/11), a large-scale mural on the museum’s courtyard wall that was inspired by a poem written for the artist by celebrated poet Bernadette Mayer.

Saltwater pool, private cabanas, luxe spa, and upscale fitness center—these are just a few of the highlights from Lido House’s new SoCal location. Just steps away from Lido Marina Village in the former City Hall location, the Autograph Collection hotel also features five custom three-story cottages, each outfitted by a local designer (Grace Blu, Jennifer Mehditash, Brooke Wagner, Erica Bryen, and Blackband Design). Standard guest rooms celebrate the area’s Cape Cod aesthetic, with elegant nods to nautical style. And if that didn’t all sound enticing enough, there’s also Topside, Newport Beach’s only rooftop bar, which we’d say is the perfect spot for a few sunset cocktails.

This weekend brings the 10th annual Farhang Foundation Nowruz Festival to UCLA. The largest celebration of Iranian New Year (and the first day of spring) in the country, the day promises vibrant cultural programming and a colorful spring walk parade, plus an authentic Iranian tea house, traditional dance performances, live music, children’s activities, and a rare performance by Iranian legend Sima Bina. The free event also features the winner of this year’s banner design contest—Iranian-born, L.A.-based designer Sara Ashrafizadeh’s colorful flora-and-fauna motif, which you’ll notice all over the streets of L.A.